Rethinking how we approach NHS reform, It’s time to collaborate, not dictate

There’s a common narrative in healthcare that seems to have stuck around for too long, NHS is stuck, it's broken, we need electronic patient records and should invest heavily in them, the idea that in industry we know best we have all the solutions, none of us do, and we don't. From think tanks, patient representative groups to industry experts, there’s no shortage of opinions on what the NHS should or shouldn’t be doing. But here’s the reality: the NHS doesn’t need more armchair experts. What it needs is meaningful and supportive collaborative action.

This week, the government issued a rallying cry to the nation to help fix the NHS. In its latest call for reform, the government made it clear that fixing the health service is not the responsibility of the NHS alone, but of everyone. They urged businesses, innovators, and individuals across the country to play their part in driving reform and supporting the future of healthcare.

This call comes at a critical time when more than ever, the NHS needs genuine partnership and collaboration, not just in ideas but in actions.

One area where this is particularly evident is in the discussion around virtual wards. While virtual wards are often promoted as part of the solution to alleviate hospital pressures, they are by no means a silver bullet for the deeper challenges facing community-based care. Simply moving patients from hospital beds into virtual settings doesn’t address the wider need for integrated care that spans health, social care, and community services.

Virtual wards may provide some relief, but they don’t solve the whole system problems we face in delivering truly integrated care. The future of healthcare lies in collaboration, in working together with local authorities, social care teams, NHS staff, service users, and their families to design an integrated health and social care model that supports people at home, in the community, and in hospital when needed.

This isn’t about imposing one-size-fits-all solutions, but about co-creating a hybrid model that genuinely reflects the needs of individuals and communities. As Lord Darzi’s review rightly pointed out, real reform will come from redesigning the entire system, not just tweaking parts of it.

A Rallying Cry for Collaboration

The government’s call to action is an opportunity for us all to step up and contribute to this reform. It’s not just about offering opinions on what should be done; it’s about engaging with the system and co-creating solutions that work. It’s time to ask ourselves what we can do together to make meaningful, lasting change.

At CGI, we’ve seen firsthand how transformational change happens when healthcare providers, local authorities, and communities work in unison. For example, in one NHS organisation, we worked together to identify ￡70 million of recurring annual value that will be returned through operational improvements and smarter service integration. This kind of collaboration leads to real impact and will help the NHS become more resilient, efficient, and patient-centred.

Supporting the Workforce Through Change

A critical piece of this puzzle that cannot be overlooked is the NHS workforce. The staff on the front lines; nurses, doctors, social care workers, not forgetting unpaid carers, friends, volunteers and family members providing support are the backbone of the healthcare system. Any reform or transformation must not only involve them in the process but also support them through the transition. We need to equip our healthcare workforce with the right tools, training, and support structures to help them navigate these changes without feeling overwhelmed or under-resourced.

Real transformation can only happen if the workforce is empowered to adapt, innovate, and provide input and their experience on what works in practice. The success of any reform will hinge on our ability to engage and uplift our valued professionals, ensuring they have a voice in shaping the future of healthcare delivery. This is about more than systems and processes; it’s about creating an environment where staff feel supported, valued, and central to the change.

Let’s Stop Talking and Start Doing

The NHS doesn’t need more external opinions, it needs partners that will support them to do things differently. Virtual wards, AI, data insights are valuable tools, but they are not solutions in themselves. The answer lies in co-creation with service users, healthcare professionals, social care teams, and families, working together to build an integrated, hybrid system that meets the needs of today and tomorrow.

A Call to Action: Have Your Say

In line with the government’s recent call for nationwide input, NHS England is seeking ideas for reform. This is our chance to engage, not as critics, but as collaborators. Let’s bring our collective expertise from health, social care, and the wider community to shape a future that truly works for the people and communities we serve.

Let’s ensure this rallying cry leads to action, and that we build a healthcare system fit for the future, together.

You can respond to The Rt. Hon. Wes Streeting MP 's call here : https://change.nhs.uk/en-GB/

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